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Digestive Disorder Treatment at Danbury Hospital

At Danbury Hospital, we are known for expertise in diagnosing, managing and treating conditions affecting the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum, gallbladder and pancreas. Part of our Digestive Diseases Center, the Danbury Hospital Center of Liver Disease offers comprehensive treatment for acute and chronic liver diseases.

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Conditions We Treat

Digestive Disorders at Danbury Hospital Center offers diagnosis and treatment for the full range of gastrointestinal conditions. We provide collaborative, multidisciplinary care. Our staff includes expert physician specialists in gastroenterology, colon and rectal surgery and radiology. We use advanced diagnostic and treatment technology in a compassionate and supportive manner.

Common conditions we treat

Acid Reflux: Also called GERD (for gastroesophageal reflux disease) or heartburn, this chronic and progressive condition is caused by the regurgitation of stomach contents into the esophagus.

If you suspect you might have GERD, it’s important to see a doctor. Left untreated, GERD (caused by a weak lower esophageal sphincter) can progress to more serious problems, including esophageal cancer. Symptoms include:

Heartburn

Sore throat

Cough

Chest pressure or pain

Nighttime awakening

Diagnostic testing performed by a healthcare provider specializing in esophageal diseases is the only way to definitively identify whether or not you have GERD.

Evaluation may include:

Endoscopic examination of the esophageal lining to check for damage or Barrett’s esophagus.

Appendicitis: Painful inflammation of the appendix, located on the right side of the abdomen.

Barrett’s esophagus: A pre-cancerous condition in which the cells lining the esophagus are damaged as a result of chronic acid reflux.

Bowel obstruction: A blockage of the small or large intestine that prevents food from passing through.

Celiac disease: An autoimmune disorder that interferes with the digestion of gluten, causing it to damage the lining of the small intestine.

Colon cancer: The second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States and the third most common cancer in both men and women.

Most colon cancers begin as benign polyps, which can take several years to become cancerous.

In a recently published study, screening colonoscopy, which finds and remove precancerous colon polyps, reduced colon cancer deaths by 53%. Current guidelines recommend a screening colonoscopy at age 50 (45 for African-Americans), with follow-ups every 5-10 years depending on the initial exam findings and your personal and family history of cancer or polyps. While colonoscopy is the recognized gold standard for cancer prevention, CT scan colonography (sometimes called virtual colonoscopy) also provides accurate detection, but not removal, of polyps and is also available.

Constipation: Difficulty emptying the bowels.

Crohn’s disease: An inflammatory bowel disease that causes inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract.

Diverticulitis: When small pouches (diverticula) in the large intestine become inflamed or infected.

Gallstones: Hardened deposits of gall (a digestive fluid) that can become trapped in the gallbladder.